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Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Thank you, Alber Elbaz,
for your consistently playful, whimsical approach not only to
pre-collection presentations but to fashion in general. Remember, it’s
supposed to be fun.

Last Monday, Elbaz took a seat
behind a dimly lit wooden desk, like some old-school crime novelist or
professor. Let’s say professor since Elbaz, in this case, had all the
answers. As models came out, he rattled off a series of questions that
were basically variations on the same, time-worn theme: what do I wear?
For instance, “What if you’re on a flight from New York to Paris, you
want something easy, comfortable, no crease, beige . . . but you never
know who’s going to sit next to you.” Well, why not slouchy pants, a
loose top with an oversize, floppy shawl collar and a languid trench?

Nothing too fussy or constricting, but all quite chic. Or, “What if
you’re signing the divorce settlement with your ex and his lawyer,and
his mother is always there you know . . . ” Definitely the modest but
modern sheath adorned with chunky jewels. Communicates independence but
also savvy. Or, on a lighter note, “What if you’re uptown at the Carlyle
having tea with your daughter because life is so good?” Go for a
ladylike, off-white graphic bonded lace on jersey shift with pockets
(for errant toys) and matching jacket. And while you’re at it, dress
your mini-me in a similar look from Lanvin’s children’s line.

No,
not everyone faces exactly these situations. What plays in New York (or
Paris) doesn’t always play in Poughkeepsie, as they say. But these
clothes are both varied and universal enough to work for women from 25
to 85, regardless of where they live or where they’re going. One thing’s
for certain, today, the two-in-one dress, as Albaz called a long,
sleeveless white number layered underneath a trompe l’oeil black vest
that he felt answered the question “What if you’re always in a
rush?” could have come in handy.